Alaska Fish Research Surveys
NOAA Fisheries scientists conduct a variety of ongoing field studies and surveys to help us better understand and predict marine life abundance in Alaska. We also collect a variety of information about the environment in which they live.
Pacific Cod Satellite Tagging
Location
Aleutian Island subareas (NMFS areas 541, 542 543) and adjoining state waters around the Aleutian Island chain; Bering Sea with focus of the Northern Bering Sea waters around St. Lawrence Island.
Timing
February - September
Description
We capture live Pacific cod and release them after attaching satellite tags. We work aboard commercial fishing vessels that have agreed to make gear sets to specifically capture Pacific cod and not fish for commercial purposes. In the Aleutians, we capture Pacific cod with pots or trawl nets. In the Northern Bering Sea, we work with Alaska Native community members and longline fishermen.
Contact
Winter Pollock Survey of the Bogoslof Region
Location
Bogoslof Island Region
Timing
February-March
Description
This is a biennial winter acoustic-trawl survey. Using a combination of sonar and trawl catches, we obtain an estimate of midwater abundance and information on the location of spawning walleye pollock in the deep waters of the eastern Bering Sea. This region used to support a large international fishery for pollock but resource managers closed the area to fishing after the walleye pollock population collapsed. We use the estimated biomass (average weight of sampled fish) and other information on sex, ovary weight, size (length and weight), otoliths (ear bones to determine age) in the annual Gulf of Alaska pollock stock assessment. We also collect information on other species of ecological and commercial interest during the survey. Abundance estimates from this acoustic-trawl survey of pre-spawning pollock are critical to pollock stock assessment, and are used by the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council for setting pollock fishery quotas in the Bering Sea. As a signatory member of the Central Bering Sea Convention, the U.S. is obligated to conduct this survey to manage pollock in the International Zone (Donut Hole).
Contact
Winter Pollock Survey of the Gulf of Alaska
Location
Shelikof Strait and vicinity (e.g., Chirikof Island shelf break, Marmot Bay) and the Shumagin Islands and vicinity (e.g., Sanak Trough, Morzhovoi Bay). The Gulf of Alaska bays of the Kenai Peninsula, and Prince William Sound are surveyed in odd years.
Timing
March-April
Description
We conduct this annual acoustic-trawl survey (combination of sonar and trawl catch) to obtain an estimate of midwater abundance and information on the location of spawning walleye pollock in Shelikof Strait and surrounding areas during late winter and early spring. We use data and information including biomass estimates (average weight of all fish sampled), sex, size (length and weight), weight of ovaries, otoliths (ear bones to estimate age) and other information in the annual Gulf of Alaska pollock stock assessment. We also collect information on local fish diets, other species of ecological and commercial interest (e.g., krill and rockfish), and environmental conditions. These data are combined with other Alaska Fisheries Science Center survey data to study the state of the marine ecosystem and to create food web and ecosystem forecast models.
Contact
Spring and Fall Plankton and Oceanographic Surveys
Location
Southeastern Bering Sea Continental Slope and Shelf and Gulf of Alaska
Timing
April-May/September
Description
We work with scientists at NOAA Research’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory to recover and deploy surface and subsurface moorings along the 70 m isobath each year in the spring and fall. We collect oceanographic data on currents, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. We also conduct net tows around the moorings at the time of the mooring deployments to assess the zoo- and ichthyoplankton community (animal and plant plankton community). We also conduct a subset of tows using a Bongo net around the "Unimak Box" to examine plankton community composition.
Contact
Phyllis.Stabeno@noaa.gov (PMEL)
Spring Larval Fish Survey in Southeastern Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
Location
Southeastern Bering Sea Continental Slope and Shelf; Gulf of Alaska
Timing
May
Description
This survey allows us to conduct an assessment survey of walleye pollock larvae and other groundfish species. We collect a variety of information on zooplankton (animal) and phytoplankton (zooplankton) time and sea ice permitting. We also examine the interactions among climate, weather, and oceanography and how these factors affect larval fish survival and transport. In odd years, we conduct the survey in an area from Prince William Sound to Unimak Island. In even years, we conduct the survey over the southeastern Bering Sea shelf.
Contact
Adult Groundfish, Crab, and Bottom-Dwelling Species Survey of Gulf of Alaska Continental Shelf and Slope
Location
Continental Shelf and Upper Slope of the Gulf of Alaska (out to 1,000 m depth) extending from the Islands of Four Mountains 2,300 km east to Dixon Entrance.
Timing
May-August
Description
This long-running biennial bottom trawl survey is conducted in odd years. We monitor trends in the distribution (location and movement patterns) and abundance of groundfish and crab species. We collect various biological information such as fish weight, length, stomachs (to learn about diet) and otoliths (to determine fish age) and environmental changes in their habitat. We use this information to create annual stock assessments for Gulf of Alaska groundfish and crab species. This includes important commercial fish species such as walleye pollock, Pacific cod, flatfishes, Pacific ocean perch, and other rockfish species. During this multispecies survey, we also collect oceanographic data and information on environmental conditions (e.g., water temperature, etc.). From this, we are able to assess the state of the ecosystem. This research is conducted on fishing industry contract vessels.
Contact
Adult Groundfish, Crab, and Bottom-Dwelling Species Survey of Southeastern Bering Sea Continental Shelf
Location
Continental Shelf of the Southeastern Bering Sea
Timing
May-August
Description
Since 1982, we have been conducting annual bottom trawl surveys of the continental shelf of the southeastern Bering Sea. We do this to monitor the status and trends in abundance of commercial fish and crab stocks. Focus species include walleye pollock, Pacific cod, Greenland turbot, yellowfin sole, northern rock sole, red king crab, and snow and Tanner crabs. We use the estimated biomass (average weight of all fish and crab sampled) and other biological information to create annual stock assessments of groundfish and crabs in the eastern Bering Sea. We also collect additional information on fish diets, other species of ecological interest, and environmental conditions. This helps us to assess the state of the eastern Being Sea marine ecosystem and to create food web and ecosystem forecast models to help us predict future conditions. This research is conducted on fishing industry contract vessels.
Contact
Adult Groundfish, Crab, and Bottom-Dwelling Species Survey of Southeastern Bering Sea Upper Continental Slope
Location
Continental Slope of the Southeastern Bering Sea
Timing
May-August
Description
During this historic bottom trawl survey, we monitor trends in distribution and abundance of groundfish, crab, and bottom-dwelling species on the upper continental slope. We also collect biological data such as length, weight, stomachs (to learn more about diet), otoliths (fish ear bones to learn about age) and information on environmental habitat changes in the area. We use the estimated biomass (average total weight of all fish and crabs sampled), and other data from the survey to create annual stock assessments for crabs and groundfish. This includes important commercial fish species such as Greenland turbot, walleye pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish, golden king crab, Pacific ocean perch, and other rockfish species, and red king crab. During this multispecies survey, we also collect information on other species of ecological interest, and environmental conditions to support ecosystem assessments. In recent years, the frequency of this survey has been variable. This research is conducted on fishing industry contract vessels.
Contact
Sablefish and Groundfish Longline Survey
Location
Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea
Timing
May-September
Description
This is an annual three-month longline survey. We gather biological data to help estimate the population size and health of several major groundfish species, in particular sablefish, turbot, Pacific cod, turbot. We use hook-and-line gear to fish the ocean floor at depths from 200 to 1,000 m. We also collect temperature and depth information. We conduct the survey in the Gulf of Alaska every year, the Bering Sea in odd numbered years, and the Aleutian Islands in even-numbered years. This survey is a cooperative venture with a contracted commercial vessel. After data have been collected, contracted vessels process and sell the catch, using the revenue to pay for survey operations.
Contact
Juvenile Sablefish Tagging Survey
Since 1985, sablefish have been tagged as juveniles (age-1) in nearshore shallow bays (predominately in inside southeast Alaska waters) with both external T-bar anchor tags and internally placed archival tags. Juvenile sablefish tagging has helped track ontogenetic movement into deeper waters of the slope and determine the age of recruitment into the fishery. In addition, otoliths recovered from these tagged fish have been used to validate otolith ageing. Young sablefish routinely undertake migrations of a thousand miles or more.
Contact
Adult Groundfish, Crab, and Bottom-Dwelling Species Survey of Aleutian Islands Continental Shelf
Location
Aleutian Islands from Unimak Pass to Stalemate Bank
Timing
June-August
Description
In even years, we conduct this long-running biennial bottom trawl survey. We monitor trends in distribution and abundance of groundfish and crab species. We collect various biological information such as number of species, fish weight, length, stomachs (to learn about diet) and otoliths (to determine fish age) and environmental changes in their habitat. We then use the estimated biomass (average weight of all fish sampled) and population information from the survey to create annual stock assessments for Aleutian Islands groundfish. These include important commercial fish species such as walleye pollock, Pacific cod, flatfishes, Pacific Ocean perch, and other rockfish species. From this multispecies survey, we also collect oceanographic and environmental data (e.g., water temperature, etc.) to help determine the state of the ecosystem in the Aleutian Islands region. This research is conducted on fishing industry contract vessels.
Contact
Summer Pollock Survey
Location
Eastern Bering Sea Continental Shelf; Gulf of Alaska
Timing
June-August
Description
This is an annual summer acoustic-trawl survey. Using a combination of sonar and trawl catches, we obtain to estimate midwater walleye pollock size and age distribution. In even years, the survey is conducted across the southeastern Bering Sea shelf and in odd years, it is conducted in the Gulf of Alaska shelf and bays. We also collect data on plankton species (e.g., euphausiids) and information on the physical environment (e.g., temperature, salinity, etc.). The fish data obtained from the survey are provided to the resource managers, and are an important contribution to the annual stock assessment. Data on euphausiids are now incorporated into an Ecosystem Status Reports.
Contact
Southeast Alaska Coastal Monitoring
Location
Gulf of Alaska and inside waters of the Gulf of Alaska
Timing
June-September
Description
The Southeast Coastal Monitoring (SECM) survey has assessed the status of the pelagic ecosystem in Southeast Alaska (SEAK) annually since 1997 using fish, zooplankton, and oceanographic samples. It is one of the longest continuous annual survey of its type in the North Pacific. Juvenile fish abundance and oceanographic data collected during SECM have provided reliable forecasts of abundance of commercially important species to SEAK fisheries managers and stakeholders. SECM data is also used to describe ecological response to climate change. In 2018 SECM survey became a partnership between NOAA and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and is currently funded by the Pacific Salmon Commission’s Northern Fund and the 2016 Gulf of Alaska pink salmon fishery disaster relief fund.
Contact
Oceanographic Survey of the Northern Chukchi Sea
Location
Northern Chukchi Sea
Timing
July-August
Description
In partnership with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and NOAA Research's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory we are collecting a suite of water column and harmful algal bloom measurements. We are also collecting information on plankton, larval fish, seafloor sediment and organisms, and sea birds. We will also service moorings owned by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC).
Contact
Juvenile Pacific Cod Near-Shore Survey
Location
Kodiak near shore waters
Timing
July-December
Description
This survey is conducted via small boat and seine nets to evaluate the seasonal habitat use and movements by juvenile Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska. Demersal beach seine surveys sample juvenile fish after their settlement in nursery habitats and provide the only reliable measures of age-0 and age-1 abundance of commercially important gadids in some ecosystems. Seine surveys typically collect post-settled age-0 gadids in 2-4 m of water during late summer/early fall at densities of several orders of magnitude higher than those reported offshore. As such, seine surveys offer a means of understanding 1st year of life survival.
Contact
Ben.Laurel@noaa.gov
Adult Groundfish, Crab, and Bottom-Dwelling Species Survey of Northern Bering Sea Continental Shelf
Location
Continental Shelf of the Northern Bering Sea
Timing
August
Description
This is a biennial bottom trawl survey of the Northeastern Bering Sea Shelf. We collect environmental and biological data from the area to understand how climate variability and loss of sea ice are affecting the entire eastern Bering Sea shelf. As with other Bering Sea surveys, this is a multispecies survey. We collect biomass (average total weight of sampled fish), age data, food habits, and distribution information on many different species. Our goal is to learn more about how fish, crabs, and other bottom-dwelling marine life are responding to changing environmental conditions and loss of sea ice. Data from this survey are used in conjunction with data from the southeastern Bering Sea continental shelf survey in order to assess the state of the marine ecosystem and to create food web and ecosystem forecast models. This research is conducted on fishing industry contract vessels.
Contact
Ecosystem Survey of Northern Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea
Location
Northern Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea
Timing
August
Description
Together with partners at the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, we collect numerous measurements of atmosphere-ocean-ice system. We collect environmental and biological data from the water column to the seafloor. We collect information on ocean circulation patterns, oceanographic conditions (e.g.,water temperature, nutrients, pH, and chlorophyll), plankton, larval fish, harmful algal blooms, seafloor sediments and organisms (macrofauna), marine mammals and seabirds. This survey is referred to as the Distributed Biological Survey by the scientific community or DBO.
Contact
Surface/Midwater Column Community Survey of Southeastern Bering Sea
Location
Southeastern Bering Sea
Timing
August-September
Description
We conduct this cooperative surface trawl survey to collect information on cod and other bony fish, and forage fish (e.g., herring, capelin, sandlance, mackerel, etc.) and western Alaska salmon stocks. We are also seeking to understand the impact of loss of sea ice on the eastern Bering Sea food chain, walleye pollock larval survival and ecosystem. Partners in this survey include the Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and the Alaska Pacific University. This survey has been conducted annually since 2002. It is often referred to by the scientific community as the Bering Arctic Subarctic Integrated Survey (BASIS).
Contact
Surface/Midwater Column Community Survey of Northern Bering Sea
Location
Northern Bering Sea
Timing
August-September
Description
We conduct this cooperative surface trawl survey to collect information on cod and other bony fish, and forage fish (e.g., herring, capelin, sandlance, mackerel, etc.) and western Alaska salmon stocks. We are also seeking to understand the impact of loss of sea ice on the eastern Bering Sea food chain, walleye pollock larval survival and ecosystem. This research is conducted on a fishing industry contract vessel.
Contact
Fall Juvenile Fish Survey
Location
Gulf of Alaska; Southeastern Bering Sea Continental Shelf
Timing
September
Description
We monitor the ecosystem, age-0 pollock abundance and distribution and other studies. We conduct the survey in the Kodiak Island, Prince William Sound, Semidi Islands vicinities in odd years. In even years, we conduct the survey over the southeastern Bering Sea shelf.
Contact
Bering Sea Surveys
Gulf of Alaska Surveys
Year-Round Monitoring of Pollock Movements in Eastern Bering Sea
Location
Eastern Bering Sea, U.S./Russian Convention Line
Timing
Year-round
Description
We are trying to quantify seasonal movements of walleye pollock across the US/Russia boundary, and predict how climate variability will affect these migrations. We have developed an innovative seafloor-mounted upward-looking echosounder (SME) technology to quantify the directional movements of fishes over extended periods. A relatively sparse array of SMEs can quantify the direction and magnitude of pollock movement across the US-Russia Convention line in the Bering Sea throughout the year. These cost-effective SMEs will also be equipped with sensors to collect physical oceanographic data, which will be linked to the migratory behavior. This study, the first of its kind, will provide estimates of movement dynamics of Bering Sea pollock, and the extent that this species exhibits seasonal transboundary movements.
Contact
Additional Resources
- Alaska Marine Mammal Field Work
- Groundfish and Shellfish Assessment Surveys Sample Request Instructions
- Essential Fish Habitat Research Plan in Alaska
- Research on Surveying Untrawlable Habitats in Alaska
- Alaska Groundfish Survey Data Map
- Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey Protocols
- North Pacific Groundfish Stock Assessments
- Groundfish Species and Survey Codebook
